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Samuel Smith

1929 – 2012

Psychologist and University president

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About Samuel Smith

Lived 1929 – 2012 (aged 82–83). Samuel Smith was a Canadian psychologist.

Walter Alvah Samuel Smith (4 August 1929 – 8 February 2012), known as Sam Smith, was a Canadian psychologist and academic who served as President of the University of Lethbridge and of Athabasca University.

Smith was born on 4 August 1929 in Thomas, Oklahoma, and grew up in Redwood City, California. He received his baccalaureate degree at the University of Redlands and his Master's degree and doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania.

He was President of the University of Lethbridge (1967–1972), and the second President of Athabasca University (1976–1980). Smith resigned a week after being informed over breakfast by Alberta's Advanced Education Minister Jim Horsman that the government had decided to relocate Athabasca University from Edmonton to Athabasca.

Smith was awarded an honorary doctorate from Athabasca University in 1984.

He died on 8 February 2012.

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Important facts

Born
1929
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
University of Redlands, University of Pennsylvania
Employers
University of Nevada, Reno, Simon Fraser University, Athabasca University, University of Lethbridge
Awards
Honorary doctorate
Also known as
Walter Alvah Samuel Smith, W. A. S. Smith

People in Samuel Smith's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Samuel Smith's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Samuel Smith?

psychologist and University president

When was Samuel Smith born?

Samuel Smith was born in 1929.

When did Samuel Smith die?

Samuel Smith died on 8 February 2012.

What was Samuel Smith's occupation?

Samuel Smith was a psychologist.

What nationality was Samuel Smith?

Samuel Smith was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Samuel Smith

· Wikidata: Q7412662

· DBpedia: Sam Smith (psychologist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Samuel Smith. https://biography.guide/samuel-smith-psychologist/

MLA: "Samuel Smith." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/samuel-smith-psychologist/.

Chicago: "Samuel Smith." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/samuel-smith-psychologist/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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